2010 Ford Focus Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Ford Focus review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Focus, and includes Ford Focus safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

For a third straight year, Ford is fiddling with the Focus formula. We stand right up and applaud the addition of standard AdvanceTrac stability control, traction control, and antilock brakes on all models. Ford doesn’t stop there. New MyKey programmable technology is designed with the parents of teenaged drivers in mind, and allows a top speed of 80 mph to be set for the car. Speed warning chimes can be programmed to sound at 45, 55, or 65 mph, and using MyKey the stereo volume can be limited to 44 percent of maximum volume and the traction control system cannot be turned off. The 2010 Focus also receives added standard equipment in the form of power door locks with remote keyless entry and a driver’s message center. The Focus SE is available with a power moonroof and premium audio for 2010, and a new SE Appearance Package adds special alloy wheels, a spoiler, and fog lights. The optional Sync hands-free calling and music streaming system gains Traffic, Directions and Information service this year. Finally, the Focus SES Sedan adopts the same slick appearance as the SES Coupe, adding a sportier front styling treatment, 17-inch turbine blade wheels, and a performance suspension.

The 2010 Ford Focus is available as a coupe or sedan. The Focus Coupe comes in SE or SES trim, while the Focus Sedan is offered in S, SE, SES, and SEL trim levels.

The Focus S Sedan gains standard equipment this year, adding a stability control system, traction control, and antilock brakes for safety’s sake. Combined with the six airbags and tire pressure monitoring system that were standard last year, the Focus S now has a comprehensive safety package. Ford’s MyKey programmable technology is also standard for 2010, along with power door locks, remote keyless entry and a driver’s message center. These items join air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, floor mats, a stereo with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio input jack, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat as standard equipment. The Focus S is also equipped with cloth seats and 15-inch wheels with plastic wheel covers.

Spending a little extra for the Ford Focus SE Sedan provides power mirrors, power windows, 15-inch alloy wheels, and satellite radio. The SE Coupe includes 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and heated power side mirrors. The majority of Focus SE models are also equipped with optional cruise control, an available leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an extra-cost auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The Focus SES models are the sporty ones. They get body-color exterior trim, darkened chrome grille and headlamp surrounds, fog lights, silver interior décor, white-faced gauges, a sport suspension, and appealing dark chrome 17-inch alloy wheels with performance-oriented tires. The SES Sedan has a rear trunk spoiler, while the SES Coupe gets a rear roofline spoiler and a sport exhaust system. The Focus SES also comes with Ford Sync technology, cruise control, a multi-adjustable driver’s seat, heated power mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls.

The SEL Sedan builds on the SE Sedan’s appearance and the SES Sedan’s equipment levels. It’s got a shiny chrome grille, shiny chrome headlight bezels, shiny chrome trim sprinkled around the exterior, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are found inside. Leather seats, heated in front, are optional on the SES models.

Many options can be added to the Ford Focus. Bluetooth-enabled Ford Sync technology, a premium Audiophile sound system with a CD changer, satellite radio, a power moonroof, HomeLink, and an automatic transmission are available in addition to those mentioned above.

A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine whirs away under the hood of each and every 2010 Ford Focus. Power ratings are dependent on which model you buy, ranging from 132 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque in models rated as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) to 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of twist in the Focus SES Coupe with a manual transmission. Most models generate 140 ponies and 136 lb-ft of twist.

A five-speed manual gearbox sends the power to the front wheels, and a four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy is rated 24 mpg in the city with either transmission. If you elect to row your own gears, you’ll get 35 mpg on the highway. Choose an automatic transmission and 34 mpg is possible.

Last year, we said Ford was insulting our intelligence for asking Focus buyers to pay $700 and change to get traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes. Apparently, some in Dearborn thought so, too. They’re all standard this year, joining the six airbags that came on the Focus in 2009. Also, Ford has included MyKey programmable safety features for every 2010 Focus.

Unfortunately, we find that crash-test scores could use some improvement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2010 Focus Coupe gets 3-Star crash-test ratings for the driver and rear passenger in a side-impact collision. Notably, the Coupe gets 5-Star frontal impact ratings. The Focus Sedan gets 4-Star ratings in every assessment except for driver protection in the side-impact test, which results in a 5-Star rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that the Focus provides Good protection in the offset frontal impact and rear-impact injury prevention assessments, and Acceptable protection in the side-impact crash test.

When it comes to reliability, Consumer Reports thinks the 2010 Focus will perform at average levels. J.D. Power and Associates is more optimistic, giving the Focus a better-than-average predicted reliability rating.

Since the Focus was restyled for 2008, Ford has been working to improve what was clearly a half-baked freshening of its popular compact car. This year, the Focus makes a more compelling case for itself than it has in years. It comes standard with a full complement of safety features, fuel economy is impressive, crashworthiness is pretty good for the Focus Sedan, and reliability should be OK. Plus, we think the SES Coupe and Sedan are actually pretty attractive in terms of looks. Not bad, Ford.

By Christian Wardlaw